LUIZ Felipe Scolari has been approached by Manchester City to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson according to the Portugal manager's spokesman.

City fans fully support Eriksson and demonstrated that by protesting throughout last Saturday's defeat at Liverpool but it's understood that City chairman Thaksin Shinawatra is frustrated with his side’s end of season dip in form following such a strong start to the season.

Although Scolari has been approached it is believed that negotiations won't begin for some time as he remains fully focused on preparing Portugal for the European Championship.

The development is similar to circumstances shortly before the 2006 World Cup when England approached Scolari to replace Eriksson, who had announced he would step down as manager of the national team following Germany.

Scolari ruled out accepting the job before the tournament, and England eventually hired Steve McClaren. Portugal ousted England in the quarterfinals.

Eriksson has recently told reporters that the fans’ outcry wouldn’t be enough to save his job'. It is the first time he has publicly acknowledged he is expecting to be fired.